Prairie Oat Growers Association

What Prairie Oat Growers Association does

The Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) is a non-profit, voluntary producer association founded in 1998 and headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, that represents oat growers across the Canadian Prairies. POGA coordinates three provincial commissions — the Alberta Oat Growers Commission (AOGC), Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission (SaskOats, established 2006), and Manitoba Oat Growers Association (MOGA, established 2008) — which collectively collect a $0.50/tonne levy on commercially marketed oats and channel funds back into research, market development, and producer advocacy. The association's mandate spans oat variety and cultivar development, sustainable farming practices, carbon footprint measurement, international market expansion, and regulatory engagement with federal bodies such as the Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

POGA's deliverables are primarily information, coordination, and advocacy services rather than technology products. Key offerings include the Oat Scoop newsletter, the Oat Growers Manual, a Research Projects Database (in-progress and completed research), Market Development resources including an Oat Buyers List and Producer Consent forms, consumer-facing oat recipes and nutrition resources, the Oats Everyday consumer marketing campaign, and the recently released National Oat Research Strategy. The organization does not publish software products, APIs, or proprietary technology platforms.

POGA is funded through a blend of producer levies collected by its provincial commissions, multimillion-dollar federal grants from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (notably CAD $1,982,915 in August 2019 for oat cultivar development and CAD $4,400,000 in May 2022 for international marketing of Canadian oats), and partnership-driven research funding (e.g., up to CAD $106,000 from the Government of Canada in October 2022 for oat protein health research with St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre). Its go-to-market motion is community-led, engaging producers through provincial commissions, annual general meetings, the Oat Scoop newsletter, and producer consent programs, while international market expansion is executed via trade missions and marketing campaigns in Mexico, Peru, Japan, South Korea, and domestically in Canada. POGA is governed by a Board of Directors currently led by Co-Presidents Ambrely Ralph and Greg Bott (the first co-presidential structure, elected in August 2024) and Executive Director Shawna Mathieson, who also serves as Executive Director of SaskOats and AOGC.

Name

Prairie Oat Growers Association

Legal name

Prairies Oat Growers Association Inc.

Website

https://poga.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

POGA is a Regina-based non-profit producer association founded in 1998 that represents Prairie oat growers across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba through three provincial commissions, funding oat research, market development, and advocacy via producer levies and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Producer Association

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Oat Farming (AFAGAAAE)

Keywords

• Oat grower advocacy
• Agricultural producer association
• Market development
• Crop research funding
• Producer levy administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Regina

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Producer Levies/Check-offs: POGA and provincial commissions collect levies from oat producers. Saskatchewan and Manitoba collect $0.50/tonne on all commercially marketed oats. These levies fund research, market development, and advocacy activities.
2. Government Grants and Research Funding: POGA receives government funding for research projects, including $106,000 from the Government of Canada for oat health research with St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, and $1,982,915 for oat cultivar development. Additional marketing support grants have been received for international market development.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

POGA is a voluntary, non-profit producer association that represents Prairie oat growers across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba through three affiliated provincial commissions (AOGC, SaskOats, MOGA). Its core work is funding and coordinating oat research (cultivar development, oat protein health benefits, sustainability and carbon footprint studies), conducting international market development campaigns in Mexico, Peru, Japan, and South Korea, administering producer levy collection ($0.50/tonne), and advocating on regulatory and policy issues affecting Prairie oat growers.

Product overview

Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) is a voluntary agricultural industry association, not a technology product company. The organization provides industry resources, publications, and market development services for prairie oat growers. Its offerings include The Oat Scoop newsletter, the Oat Growers Manual, research project databases, market development resources, and consumer-focused cooking and nutrition resources. POGA does not offer a software product platform or technology solution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Oat Scoop Newsletter Regular newsletter published multiple times per year covering oat industry news, research projects, market development updates, board activities, and upcoming events; distributed by email and as PDF downloads to prairie oat growers and industry stakeholders.
• Oat Growers Manual Comprehensive manual providing guidance and reference materials for oat producers on best practices in oat cultivation and prairie farming operations.
• Oat Recipes and Cooking Resources Educational resources including oat nutrition information, oat recipes, and an oat glossary to help consumers understand and incorporate oat products.
• Research Projects Database Database of oat research projects maintained by POGA, including research in progress and completed research, supporting the oat industry's scientific advancement.
• Market Development Resources (Oat Buyers List and Producer Consent Forms) Resources including marketing projects, the Oat Buyers List, and producer consent forms to support market development for Canadian oats domestically and internationally.
• National Oat Research Strategy National-level research strategy released by POGA in March 2026 to serve as a benchmark for analyzing future oat research projects across the Canadian industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research funding of up to $106,000 secured for oat health research on cholesterol and blood glucose
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Agriculture in the Classroom SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026SaskOats has expanded support through a multi-year agreement to help educate Saskatchewan students about agriculture and the benefits of oats. Elwood White, SaskOats Chair, and Shawna Mathieson, SaskOats Executive Director, participate in this initiative.
• St. Boniface Hospital Research CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2022Joint research partnership to study oat protein health benefits including effects on cholesterol and blood glucose levels. The Government of Canada invested up to $106,000 in this research initiative. Findings expected to help create new market opportunities and promote Canadian oats' health benefits globally.
• CleanfarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBob Lepischak, long-time POGA/MOGA director who also holds a board position with Grain Growers of Canada, has joined the board of Cleanfarms, an agricultural waste management organization.
• Alberta Oat Growers Commission (AOGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial commission dedicated to the specific needs of Alberta's oat growers. AOGC collects producer levies, supports research, and participates in POGA's coordinated market development efforts.
• Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission (SaskOats)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial commission established in 2006 to increase profitability of growing oats for Saskatchewan oat growers. Collects $0.50/tonne levy and funds research and market development.
• Manitoba Oat Growers Association (MOGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial association established in 2008 to help influence decisions with government and industry. Collects $0.50/tonne levy on Manitoba-grown oats marketed commercially.
• SaskCrops CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of Saskatchewan crop organizations (SaskBarley, SaskOats, SaskOilseeds, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Sask Wheat) working on joint advocacy including Export Sales Reporting campaigns and government relations.
• Grain Growers of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational横Organization representing grain growers. POGA directors hold board positions and collaborate on policy advocacy at the federal level.
• Agriculture for LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated organization working on agricultural education and safety initiatives. Listed as a partner organization on POGA's website.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alberta Wheat Commission: Alberta's check-off-funded wheat commission conducting research and market development for Alberta grain producers; operates under the same provincial commission model as AOGC within POGA's structure.
• Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission: Saskatchewan crop commission funded by producer check-offs that funds research, market development and advocacy — directly parallel to SaskOats' mandate within POGA. Co-membership in SaskCrops Coalition reinforces functional overlap.
• Cereals Canada: National cereals value-chain organization representing Canadian oat, wheat and barley farmers, including POGA, on market access, trade, and end-use functionality research. POGA participates in its market and research initiatives.
• SaskBarley: Saskatchewan barley check-off organization that conducts research and market development; a peer provincial crop commission operating in the same policy and check-off funding model as POGA's provincial affiliates.
• Manitoba Crop Alliance: Manitoba multi-crop commission covering wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax; comparable producer-funded research and advocacy function relevant to POGA's Manitoba operations through MOGA.
• Saskatchewan Pulse Growers: Provincial pulse crop commission funded by levy on pulse growers; shares SaskCrops Coalition membership with SaskOats and operates an analogous research-and-market-development mandate on a different crop.

Regional players

• SaskOilseeds: Saskatchewan oilseed development commission co-membership with SaskOats in SaskCrops Coalition; comparable producer-check-off model focused on canola and other oilseeds — comparable but different commodity.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Federation of Agriculture: Umbrella organization for Canadian agricultural producers; comparable in serving as a policy and advocacy body for farmers but at a broader cross-commodity level rather than oat-specific.
• Grain Growers of Canada: National umbrella organization representing Canadian grain growers. POGA directors sit on its board; it is the closest industry-association peer given overlapping policy advocacy and federal government liaison work.
• Pulse Canada: National value-chain organization for Canadian pulse crops; analogous federal-level crop promotion, international marketing, and research advocacy functions to POGA's national scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oatgrowers
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61578026847547
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prairie-oat-growers-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Prairie Oat Growers Association